Naxos Cyclades largest Island
Naxos Town (Chora) and harbour
Like Paros harbour, Naxos harbour is also something of a ferry hub with a good number of all types of ferries, conventual, car and fast ferries.
Above the the port/harbour, Naxos old town, narrow streets, shops, boutiques, tavernas, bars, and restaurants.
Kastro the oldest quarter, constructed by the Venetians. In the Venetian castle, there are live music events, like piano concerts, bouzouki evenings.
Captain George and Yacht Annabella great experience sailing tours located Naxos Town seafront.
Naxos Port
and ferry terminal
Naxos Town
Kastro area and Venetian Castle
Naxos port/harbour
Local fisherman preparing Octopus
Naxos Old Town
Boutiques, shops
Naxos port
Panagia Mirtidiotissa Church
Naxos town seafront
Flamingo Restaurant live Music
Agios Georgios Resort and Beach
5 minutes stroll Naxos Town
Agios Georgios (Saint George) is a popular beach area (resort) with its hotels, apartments, hotels. restaurants. bars, tavernas, and shops and it is only 5 minutes stroll to Naxos town. Family friendly sandy beach, shallow water, water sport activities available.
Naxos Town (incl. Agios Georgios)
Here are a few good places to eat
To Elliniko a popular Greek traditional restaurant, family owned. Charming inner court seating. Located on Ioannou Paparigopoulou street in Naxos Town.
Vassilis Taverna located in Naxos old town, established since early 1950’s, family owned. Try their Sea Bass, Moussaka and more delicious dishes from their menu in this traditional Greek taverna.
Apostolis Taverna located Naxos old town. Great lively atmospheric outside court yard seating. Nice décor, Delicious food, try the Apostolis salad, Saganaki cheese, chicken with mashed.
As so often, Greek islands seafront or port tavernas are very popular and the menu items could be more pricy than central town/village location.
Flamingo Restaurant Located Naxos town seaside promenade. Very nice food, good views, nice service and occasionally live music. During my visit live Bouzouki music created a lovely atmosphere.
Finikas Cafe Bar located on Agios Georgios beach. Very relaxing. Happy smiling people (guests and staff) snacks, drinks.
and nice places to stay
Alkyoni Beach Hotel located on the Agios Georgios sandy beach, close to Flisvos Sport Club. The varied accommodation include seaside residence, double rooms with various views and facilities, various suites include a Honeymoon suite. Spacious and light garden area around Swimming pool and lovely decorated restaurant. Air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Satellite TV. Refrigerator, Balcony or terrace and much more. Naxos town and port area 12-15 minutes walk. Alkyoni a 4 star hotel.
Castle Mansions astle Mansions Located old town Naxos at the foot of the Venetian Castle. 5 colourful apartment (White, Blue, Yellow, Grey and Green) sleeps from 2 to six people. Great service amenities from free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, Flat screen TV, washing machine, well equipped kitchen incl. fridge.
The Delicious Typografio Restaurant is part of the Castle Mansions.
Hotel Spiros Located close to Agios Georgios sandy beach (100-125 meters). A friendly hotel ideal for families, couples or for those who likes to have all the amenities within a short stroll. Swimming pool with sunbeds, snack bar, gym, jacuzzi, Selection of accommodation from single-double-triple bed rooms. Apartments. Free Wi-Fi, Air conditioning, Satellite TV and much more facilities.
The Portara
Portara or Palatia or the bath of Ariadne the daughter of King Minos of Crete is the striking “port” of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo.
On the causeway linked islet at the edge of the towns quayside, stands a ruined Apollo temple, called by the locals “Palatia”, a huge marble arch. The temple was dedicated to Apollo and to be 59m long and 28m wide. Allegedly the work began year 530 BC, however, the temple was never completed.
Take a short walk/stroll along the seafront, when approaching the islet, quite a steep climb to the Portara (Palatia).
Many comes here in time for the spectacular sunset.
Get Around Naxos
A good idea to explore Naxos could be to rent a car,
motorbike or a scooter or use the local bus company K.T.E.L. To keep fit, rent a bicycle. several available in Naxos Town.
Naxos island is big, actually it is the largest of all the Cyclades Islands, (10th largest in Greece) and is one of the most popular Greek Islands.
Naxos offer a good mix of an attractive port town, easy accessible wonderful sandy beaches, lovely interior landscape of lush valleys and attractive mountain villages. Good links with other islands, and the primary jumping off point for the islands of Amorgos and The Small Cyclades Islands (Donoussa, Iraklia, Koufonissi and Schinoussa).
Filoti Village
This attractive hillside village lying at the centre of the fertile Tragaia Valley. Filoti Village is also the starting point for the approximately 3-hours track to the summit of Mt. Zeus, (just over 1,000m) the highest peak in the Cyclades.
The Filoti village is approximately 18km from Naxos town, connected to the island’s main road network. Own transport, parking space is available. Public transportation runs on a regular basis, K.T.E.L buses
Traditional Cycladic village built amphitheatrically on the mountain slopes with whitewashed, flat roofed houses and narrow heavily flowered streets. A little paved square named Gefyra (Greek - bridge), is surrounded by “cafenion” (Greek traditional cafes) also serving ouzo and snacks. Several more taverns and shops in the village.
Stay in traditional house inside Filoti (booking.com) 2 bedroom Apartment, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views. A private entrance leads guests into the apartment. This apartment is allergy-free and non-smoking.
See more and learn more about Naxos
Apiranthos village
5km north east of Filoti. Allegedly it is the most beautiful village on Naxos
Stay in Apiranthos - Halki - Apollonas or Moutsouna Village
Imellos Apartment, Apiranthos Village (Booking.com)All units in the apartment complex air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, a hair dryer and free toiletries. An oven, a fridge and stovetop are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. Patio access and free private parking. Mountain views, a sun terrace, and free WiFi is available throughout the property.
The Vallindras Distillery
The distillery is located Halki’s main square, still distills Kirtron in the old traditional way. Free Tours.
Kitron? Is a citron liqueur. It is made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree, which is similar to the lemon tree but stronger and slightly different in taste.
The driest and strongest liqueur (36%) is yellow, there's an intermediate version that is colourless and has less alcohol (33%) and sugar, and there's a green one that has the highest amount of sugar content and the lowest alcoholic strength (30%).
Agios Yoannis the Diasoritis
Byzantine Church just outside Halki (Chalki).
Mount Zeus
Walk from Filoti Village up to Mount Zeus. Check out AllTrails website for more info.
Apollonas bay and Village
A beautiful fishing village 35km from Chora/Naxos town, Naxos north east coast.
Halki (Chalki) Village
The historic Village of Halki (once long ago the islands capital) is a must visit on Naxos.
Kouros statue
(unfinished 10.5 metre tall) dates back to the 6th century BC. Outside the Apollonas village entrance.
Lionas and Moutsouna villages.
The small quiet villages of Lionas and Moutsouna with their picturesque harbour on the East coast are nice sites for a daily visit, both have tavernas and a good beach.
The Ancient Temple of Demeter
is from the 6th century BC. Located a short distance (1.3km) from Ano Sangri, an inland village. The temple was constructed sometime around 530 BC.
Excellent choice Naxos Tours by locals.
Greek legend tell us that ungrateful Theseus abandoned Ariadne on the island of Naxos after she rescued him from the Cretan Minotaur; turns out it wasn't such a bad fate, as the island is one of the,.
There are 12 tours by locals in and around Naxos.
Lovely Beaches for all, plenty of watersport activities
Surf Image above by Flisvos Kite Centre
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece could be found here on Naxos. Stretches of light coloured sand, the sea shifting in different colours of blue clear water and on to the blue sky where Apollon (God of the Sun) race daily.
Long beaches mixes busy stretches, where you will find the organised part of the beach, to virtually empty areas (suitable for naturists) with no service at all, like no parasols, sunbeds and so on. Organised beach areas can offer accommodation, tavernas and a few evening entertainment (Disco). Water sport activities on offer, kite surfing, windsurfing.
Diving available, link to Blue Fin Divers here, located on Agios Prokopios Beach.
Most convenient - own transport, however most of the beaches are on the local bus route. All beaches mention below are all on the south east coast.
Mikri Vigla and Orkos Beach
two of the best “surf” beaches
The best spot for kite surfing: The Flisvos Kite Centre
in Mikri Vigla beach located approximately 11.5 km south of Naxos Town on the incredibly beautiful white sands and crystal clear waters. Mikri Vigla beach resort is for those focused on the beach, swimming, water sports and eating good food, international and local food on offer. Some accommodation.
Orkos beach, sand coves and sand dunes that is formed between Plaka and Mikri Vigla beaches. This is an approximately 1 kilometre long beach. At the beach of Orkos, just like at several other nearby beaches, wind surfing is among the most widely known surfing beaches of the island . The bay is excellent for experienced kite surfers as well as beginners
Plaka Beach
Mikri Vigla Beaches
Agios Prokopios Beach
Here are a few great beaches
Plaka Beach
9.1km from Naxos Town
nice sandy beach, the longest on the island approximately 4km.
All ages, families with young children.
Umbrellas and sunbeds at some few parts on the beach.
Taverna, cafes, accommodation
Mikri Vigla Beach
11.2km from Naxos Town
Nice sandy beach 2km long
famous wind and kite surfers' beach
All ages, suitable for children
umbrellas, sunbeds
Tavernas, café, accommodation
Agios Prokopios
5.7km from Naxos town,
1.5-2km long sandy beach, one of the best.
All ages
Umbrellas and sunbeds.
Popular holiday resort. Tavernas, snack-bars.
Busy in the summer. Parking can be a problem.
Scuba Diving with Blue Fin Divers
Easy to get here
By air
Naxos airport (JNX)
Flights to-from Athens daily. Flight time is approximately 40-45 minutes.
European charter traffic and other International flights use Mykonos and Santorini airport between April – October. Mykonos airport (JMK) Santorini airport (JTR)
Aegean Airlines fly to over 150 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and to over 30 Greek Destinations.
By Sea
Ferries daily to/from Naxos, to/from Santorini, Paros
Ferries to/from Paros: fastest around 30 minutes. Island Hopping Paros - Naxos
Ferries to/from Santorini: fastest around 1 hour 35 minutes.
Depending on the ferry company and the vessel that you choose.
Naxos is located conveniently along the Mykonos - Santorini ferry route and well connected from/to other Cyclades Islands, Regular connection with Athens Pireaus and Rafina port.
Book your ferry tickets with Ferries in Greece
(search include timetable, prices